Hydrotherapy fitting



Oct. 7, 1969 w. o. BAKER 3,471,091

aYnnomsnAryri'rwmo Fil ed Sept. 1. 1967 v v 78 83A y l8, 7 :3: l0 70 7266 I4 4 62 55 2o 22 l a Q 75 -60 3a 7 5,, S H6. 2 4 30 Q I 9 INVENTOR.WILLIAM 0. BAKER ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent US. Cl. 239-416 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis invention relates to hydrotherapy equipment, and particularly tohydrotherapy fittings.

A hydrotherapy fitting according to the present invention includes ahousing having a cavity. Liquid inlet means is provided in fluidcommunication with said cavity and is adapted to be connected to asource of pressurized liquid, such as water. Gas inlet means is likewisesupported by said housing and is adapted to be connected to a source ofgas, such as air. A fluid guide means is mounted within said cavity andincludes a nozzle having a throat. First passage means provides fluidcommunication between the gas inlet means and the nozzle for introducingthe gas into said nozzle, and second passage means provides fluidcommunication between the cavity and the nozzle for introducing liquidunder pressure into the nozzle downstream from the first passage means.Upon connection of the liquid inlet means to a source of pressurizedliquid, a stream of liquid flows .through the second passage meansthereby creating a low-pressure area down-stream from vthe first passagemeans thereby drawing gas into the nozzle through the second passagemeans.

According to an optional but desirable feautre of the present invention,the gas is permitted to be introduced axially into the nozzle and theliquid is injected into the nozzle.

According to another optional but desirable feature of the presentinvention, there are included separate controls for regulating the flowof liquid and gas through the nozzle.

This invention relates to hydrotherapy equipment, and more particularlyto hydrotherapy fittings.

Hydrotherapy fittings commonly utilize the injection of a liquid and agas, such as water and air, through a nozzle for discharge into a bodyof water, such as a bathtub or therapy pool. In some prior hydrotherapyfittings, both the air and the water are injected under pressure intothe fitting so as to obtain a turbulence within the nozzle to obtainmixing of the air and water. These pressure-operated fittings haverequired expensive pump assemblies and intricate conduits for deliveringthe air under pressure to the fitting.

In other prior hydrotherapy fittings, water has been injected axiallyinto the nozzle under pressure and air has been drawn in at the sides ofthe nozzle. This arrangement has resulted in a main water stream beingdirected through the nozzle, surrounded by a boundary layer of air.Unless a baffie was placed in the nozzle to divert the water stream intothe boundary stream of air there was not enough turbulence of air orwater to achieve proper mixing of air in water. Thus, without a bafilearrangement, the jet stream emitted from the nozzle was merely a jetstream of water surrounded by a stream of air.

If, however, a bafie arrangement was included in the nozzle of priorhydrotherapy fittings having axial water injection, enough turbulencewas created for proper mixing of the air and water, but the velocity ofthe emitted jet stream was reduced and the direction of the emitted jetstream was difiicult, if not impossible, to control due to the randomturbulence created in the nozzle.

3,471,091 Patented Oct. 7, 1969 According to the present invention, airis admitted into the nozzle of a hydrotherapy fitting, and water isintroduced under pressure into the nozzle at a location downstream fromthe place where the air is admitted. This arrangement produces alow-pressure area downstream from the place where the air is admitted,thereby drawing air into the nozzle and mixing it with the water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrotherapyfitting wherein gas is mixed with liquid, but does not require externalpressurization of the gas.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hydrotherapyfitting wherein suflicient mixing of the gas and liquid is achievedwithout the use of deflection baflles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hydrotherapyfitting for injecting a mixture of gas and liquid into a pool of Waterwherein said fitting is universally mounted so as to direct the flow ofthe mixed gas and liquid inany desired direction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hydrotherapyfitting having separate liquid and gas controls so that the flow ofliquid and gas may be separately regulated, thereby regulating themixture of liquid and gas in the outlet stream of the injector fitting.

According to the present invention, the pressurized liquid and also thegas, which need not be pressurized, is brought to a nozzle within thecavity of the housing. The liquid is introduced into the nozzle at aposition downstream from the place of introduction of the gas, and theflow of the liquid into and through the nozzle draws the gas into theliquid.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the pressurizedliquid is introduced into the nozzle in a flow pattern by which theintroduced liquid surrounds the flow axis through the nozzle and the gasis introduced within this flow pattern of the liquid.

According to another optional but desirable feature of "ice 4 thepresent invention, separate regulatory controls are provided forseparately controlling the flow of gas and liquid into the nozzle, sothat the content of gas in liquid in the jet stream emitted from thenozzle may be controlled.

The above and other features of the present invention will he more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of hydrotherapy fitting accordingto the presently preferred form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in cutaway cross-section of an alternative mountfor mounting the fitting of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball joint and nozzle for use in thehydrotherapy fitting according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a hydrotherapyfitting according to the present invention is illustrated generally at10. Fitting 10 includes face plate 12 mounted to housing 14 by suitablefasteners 16. Gasket 18 provides a fluid seal between face plate 12 andhousing 14. Recess portion 20 on face plate 12 supports a seal means,such as a Teflon O-ring 22. Annular shoulder 26, integral with housing14, and wall 30 support resilient bias means 32, such as a compressedrubber ring. Bias means 32 supports a seal means, such as a TeflonO-ring 24 3 axis. Nozzle 38 has its forward portion extending out ofcavity 34.

Ball joint 36 includes an internal protrusion 42 having an axial passage44 therethrough to provide fluid communication between the interior ofnozzle 38 and cavity 25 of bias means 32. Cavity 46 is formed Withinball joint 36 and provides fluid communication with cavity 34 through aplurality of passageways 48. It is preferred that passages 48 bedisposed a sufficient angular distance from axial passage 40 thatarcuate surface 49 seals against O-ring 24 for all angular positions ofball joint 36.

Nozzle 38 includes a valving surface 50 capable of closing over theexternal surface of protrusion 42. Nozzle 38 includes an internalconvergent portion 52 forming a throat adjacent valving surface 50 and adivergent portion 54 which extends from the throat to the forward end ofnozzle 38.

Receptacle portion 56, integral with housing 14, is in fluidcommunication with cavity 34 and is adapted to be connected to a liquidinlet conduit (not shown) such as the outlet of a pump for a swimmingpool. Receptacle 56 receives liquid under pressure from the pressurizedsource and delivers it to cavity 46 of the fluid guide means throughcavity 34 and passages 48. Receptacle portion 58 is adapted to beconnected to a gas inlet conduit (not shown) and is in fluidcommunication with the internal portion of seal 24 through conduit 60and cavity 25 in bias means 32.

Needle valve 62 is threadably mounted in conduit 63 of housing 14 and isadapted to regulate the flow of gas between receptacle 58 and conduit 60by regulating fluid communication between receptacle 56 and conduit 60at valving wall 64. A suitable O-ring seal 66 is provided on needlevalve 62 to prevent escape of gas past the needle valve.

In operation of the hydrotherapy fitting according to the presentinvention, receptacle 58 is connected to a suitable supply of gas, suchas atmospheric air, and receptacle 56 is connected to a suitable supplyof liquid under pressure, such as the outlet of a water pump (notshown). The water is permitted to follow the direction of arrows 68through cavity 34, passages 48 and into cavity 46 of ball fitting 36. Atthe same time, air is permitted to flow in the direction of arrows 69through conduit 60 and into passage 44 of the ball fitting.

The water contained within cavity 46 is permitted to pass valvingsurface 50 and into the throat of nozzle 38. Since the water is underpressure, the water moves past valving wall 50 and the forward end ofpassage 44 and into the throat of nozzle 38. The flow of water pastvalving wall 50 forms a Venturi-type throat, thereby creating alow-pressure region downstream from the forward end of passage 44. Thelow pressure or semi-vacuum area downstream from passage 44 causes theair in conduit 60 and passage 44 to be drawn in the direction of arrows70 into the throat of the nozzle. Since the water is directed towardsaxis 40, the water and air mix in the throat, and are discharged underpressure through the divergent section of the nozzle in a jet streamfrom the hydrotherapy fitting.

Ball joint 36, being supported within cavity 34 by O-rings 22 and 24, isuniversally mounted so as to provide movement of nozzle 38 bothhorizontally and vertically so as to permit selection of the directionat which the jet stream will emit from the nozzle. The ball joint may berotated to any desired angular position, limited only upon the point ofcontact of nozzle 38 with opening 76 in the face plate. The geometry ofpassages 48 through the wall of the ball fitting and of arcuate surface49 is such that passages 48 are in fluid communication with cavity 34for all possible angular positions of ball fitting 36 and nozzle 38.Likewise, the O-ring 24 provides a fluid seal between housing 12 andball fitting 36 and between the air and water inlets for all possibleangular positions of the ball fitting and nozzle. Thus, passage 44 is,for all angular positions of the ball fitting and nozzle, in fluidcommunication with conduit 60.

Bias spring 32, by biasing O-ring 24 against ball fitting 36, biasesball fitting 36 to the left (as shown in the drawing), thereby assuringa proper fluid seal between the face plate and ball fitting by O-ring22, and between the housing and ball fitting at arcuate surface 49 byO-ring 24. O-ring 24 also provides a fluid seal between the air andwater inlet passages, thereby preventing fluid flow between them.

Regulation of the air supply is controlled by axially turning needlevalve 62 to regulate the size of the opening between receptacle 58 andconduit 60. Likewise, regulation of the flow of water is controlled byaxially turning nozzle 38 to thereby regulate the size of the openingbetween valving surface 50 and the external portion of protrusion 42.

To prevent the needle valve from being completely drawn from thefitting, lock ring '70 is mounted on needle valve 62 and is adapted tocontact wall 72 of face plate 12 when the needle valve has been opened(or moved as far to the left as possible in the drawings).

The present hydrotherapy fitting is useful for both hydrotherapeuticswimming pool-s and bathtubs. When used in a pool, the hydrotherapyfitting according to the present invention is most conveniently mountedto the pool by mounting brackets 78 and 80 to suitable mounting means 82fixed to the pool. Fasteners 81, such as bolts, may be used forfastening the brackets to the mounting means. The mounting brackets arepreferably recessed from the forward end of housing 14 so that uponcompletion of the pool, the plaster forming the pool surface may coverthe mounting brackets and the wall surface of the pool is flush with theforward portion of the housing as indicated at 83.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative mounting so that the hydrotherapyfitting may be used in a bathtub. In such an arrangement, a shoulderportion 84 is provided on face plate 12, and wall 86 of the bathtub issandwiched between shoulder 84 of the face plate and housing 14.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective View of ball joint 36 having nozzle 38threaded therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball joint is substantiallyspherical and contains a plurality of passages 48 disposed about theperiphery of the ball joint so that water passing through receptacle 56(FIG. 1) will enter the ball joint regardless what angular position theball joint is in. Serrations 88 and 90 are preferably provided on needlevalve 62 and nozzle 38, respectively, to aid in manual turning of theneedle valve and nozzle.

The present invention thus provides a hydrotherapy fitting which doesnot require the use of air under pressure to obtain a proper mixing ofair and water. The fitting has separate air and water regulationcontrols so that the user may adjust the mixture of air and water tosuit his pleasure. The device is simple to construct and operate.

Although the hydrotherapeutic fitting according to this invention issubstantially free from maintenance problems, the device may be easilydisassembled for repair, cleaning or replacement by merely removing faceplate 12 and disengaging needle valve 62 from conduit 63. The ballfitting and nozzle, the needle valve, and all seals may then be removed.

This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in thedrawings and described in the description, which is given by way ofexample and not of limitation.

What is claimed:

1. A hydrotherapy fitting comprising:

(a) a housing having a cavity;

(b) liquid inlet means supported by said housing and in fluidcommunication with said cavity, said liquid inlet means being adapted tobe connected to a source of pressurized liquid;

(c) gas inlet means supported by said housing;

(d) a fluid guide means supported within said cavity,

said fluid guide means including (i) a ball fitting universallysupported within said cavity for rotation in any plane,

(ii) a nozzle having a throat, said nozzle being mounted to said ballfitting and extending out of said cavity,

(iii) first passage means providing fluid communication between said gasinlet means and said nozzle for introducing gas into said nozzle, and

(iv) second passage means providing fluid com munication between saidcavity and said nozzle for introducing liquid under pressure into saidnozzle downstream from said first passage means, said second passagemeans being so arranged and disposed as to introduce liquid into saidnozzle in a flow pattern which substantially surrounds the axis of saidnozzle, and the first passage means is so arranged and disposed as tointroduce gas into said nozzle within the flow pattern of said liquid,whereby upon connection of said liquid inlet means to a source ofpressurized liquid, a stream of liquid flows through said second passagemeans into the throat of said nozzle, thereby creating a low pressurearea downstream from said first passage means, thereby drawing gas intosaid nozzle through said second passage means and said gas inlet means.

2. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 1 wherein said flow patternof said liquid is directed toward the axis of said nozzle.

3. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 1 further including firstseal means supported in said cavity at the forward end thereof, andsecond seal means supported in said cavity at the rearward end thereof,said first and second seal means providing a fluid seal between saidhousing and said ball fitting.

4. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 3 further including biasmeans for biasing said second seal means against said ball fitting andfor biasing said ball fitting against said first seal means.

5. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 4 further includingregulation means for regulating flow of gas and liquid to said nozzle.

6. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 5 wherein said regulationmeans comprises first valve means supported by said housing forregulating flow of gas, and second valve means operatively associatedwith said nozzle and ball fitting for regulating flow of liquid, wherebythe flow of gas and liquid may be separately regulated.

7. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 1 further includingregulation means for regulating flow of gas and liquid to said nozzle.

'8. A hydrotherapy fitting according to claim 7 wherein said regulationmeans comprises first valve means supported by said housing forregulating flow of gas, and second valve means operatively associatedwith said nozzle and ball fitting for regulating flow of liquid, wherebythe flow of gas and liquid may be separately regulated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,421,702 1/1969 OBrien 239587 X1,688,320 10/1928 Bassett 239416.4 1,748,004 2/ 1930 Urquhart 239416 X1,751,719 3/ 1930 Uhri 239434.5 X 1,855,457 4/ 1932 Murray 239-43452,259,215 10/ 1941 Seheurer 239-416 2,442,991 6/ 1948 Allen 239-434.5 X3,224,793 12/1965 Benjamin.

FOREIGN PATENTS 351,075 6/ 1931 Great Britain.

M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner B. BELKIN, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R.

